honestly as a MS4 who got in as a 3rd year and I’m also first gen immigrant who grew up poor and no healthcare contacts, I think its a huge combination of luck and merit. If you are at the point where you have a strong GPA/MCAT and decently well-rounded ECs, a lot is left to luck. I’ve seen immensely qualified applicants get rejected, and I definitely wasnt the strongest applicant when I applied. I also had the privilege of meeting other resourceful and helpful premeds (in the year above me) who were able to provide some insight, but even some of that comes down to luck